Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
A very long, impressive, unique ridge valley in northern Lapland surrounded by large areas of subarctic forests. At the heart of the area is the long and shallow Kevojoki river, which runs through the Kevo canyon, considered to be one of the most remarkable geological formations in the country. Vast areas around the ridge valley are dominated by fjeld forests of birch
Betula. Each summer, large numbers of tourists visit the area, especially the canyon.
The site supports a diverse Arctic avifauna. Breeding birds include 12 out of the 32 species in Europe that are restricted to the Arctic/tundra biome (when breeding).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Part of the area is a candidate SAC.
National High
International None70,075 ha of IBA covered by Strict Nature Reserve (Kevo, 70,175 ha).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Kevo (Finland). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/kevo-iba-finland on 22/12/2024.
